Lord: Starting with Biological Modification

Dawn had just broken when the four-wheeled carriage from the Earl’s Mansion pulled up to the entrance of Baron Kaman’s Mansion.

The faint sound of its wheels crunching on the gravel road startled the servant on night watch.

He hastily threw on an outer coat and peeked his head out from a side door. When he saw the thorned-flower crest of the Earl’s Mansion on the carriage door, the sleepiness on his face vanished instantly.

When Baron Kaman was woken up, he was still a bit groggy.

Wrapped in his sleeping robe, he walked into the drawing-room and saw the old butler sitting with formal posture.

The old butler wore a composed smile, but Kaman knew his own elder brother, Count Leman, was never an impatient man.

Paying a visit before sunrise was an act that bordered on rudeness.

In all his years, Baron Kaman had never seen his brother act so out of character.

After a brief exchange, the old butler stated his purpose.

"The Countesses unanimously wish to invite Young Master Velin to the Earl’s Mansion for breakfast."

Before long, Velin appeared at the door, neatly dressed.

Carrying a briefcase, he calmly followed the old butler out of the mansion gates.

As the carriage rode smoothly toward the Earl’s Mansion, Velin closed his eyes to rest.

He had no need to speculate about the upcoming meeting. From the moment he had sent over those two pills yesterday, the course of the transaction was already set in stone.

The carriage stopped in the rear garden of the Earl’s Mansion.

As Velin stepped out of the carriage, his gaze swept over a neatly trimmed lawn where a powerfully built Iron-Fanged Mastiff was taking a walk.

Its muscles bulged, its short black fur gleaming in the morning light, and its tail was held high.

Velin remembered that in the previous owner’s memories, this Magical Beast, a battle pet named "Old Iron-Fang," was already quite old and feeble.

But now, it pounced fiercely on a metal ball, biting down with a loud CRUNCH, showing no signs of old age.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. ’This isn’t surprising. I’ve seen far more ridiculous results back in the lab.’

In the flower hall, the aroma of breakfast filled the air.

Count Leman sat at the head of the table, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemingly smoothed away. His complexion was rosy, and he was positively glowing, looking as if he had conquered new territory overnight.

His three Countesses sat on either side, looking even more radiant, their faces flush with renewed passion.

The four of them conversed in low voices, occasionally using handkerchiefs to hide smiles they couldn’t suppress. As their eyes met, there was both the silent understanding of a shared secret and a faint hint of rivalry.

The First Countess, in particular, hardly took her expressive eyes off Count Leman. Her gaze, shimmering with longing, was like a little bear that had just spotted honey.

When Velin walked in, four pairs of fiery, bright, and appreciative eyes swiveled to him in unison.

When the Countesses saw the briefcase in Velin’s hand, their expressions turned to undisguised greed, like goblins discovering a treasure hoard.

"Velin, my dear boy, come and sit!"

The First Countess spoke first, affectionately patting the empty seat beside her. Her voice was warm and gentle.

"Child, you are truly a gem of our Klein Clan," the Second Countess chimed in, immediately handing him a piece of toast slathered with honey.

The Third Countess was even more direct, stuffing a heavy velvet coin purse into his hand.

"Take this! A little spending money from your auntie. Buy whatever you like!"

"Sister, that’s so crude! How can you measure Velin’s worth with money?" The Second Countess expressed her disapproval of such a direct financial offensive.

She slipped a sapphire-inlaid bracelet from her wrist.

"Velin, this is for you. It’s perfect whether you want to gift it or keep it for your collection."

The First Countess, seeing this, merely let out a soft chuckle, her demeanor showcasing the poise of the principal wife.

She took a long wooden box radiating Magic Power from a servant. "This is the dagger ’Moonlight,’ which my father acquired from elven ruins long ago. It’s exceptionally sharp, and now I gift it to you."

The Second Countess looked at the dagger, then back at her bracelet, her expression turning resentful.

She steeled herself and declared, "Later, I’m going to string up that worthless fool Leonard and give him another beating! That’ll teach him to learn from your example."

Faced with this barrage of gifts, even Velin was a bit bewildered.

Breakfast concluded in this fervent yet bizarre atmosphere.

「After the meal, in the study.」

Count Leman pointed to the sofa, motioning for Velin to sit.

"’The Last Knight’s Grand Tournament’... the effects... were better than I could have ever imagined."

He picked up the red wine on the table and took a small sip. "Are you sure that, just as you said, it has no fatal side effects?"

Velin placed the briefcase on the table and opened it.

Inside lay a complete business plan.

"Uncle, it doesn’t drain one’s life force. Rather, it uses the essence of Extraordinary plants to nourish and reignite dormant flames of life, allowing a withered tree to bloom once more."

"However, if the flame burns too intensely, it will inevitably strain the furnace—the heart, for instance."

He pushed the business plan in front of Leman.

"My strategy is to market it as a luxury good. It will be exclusively for high-ranking nobles who still have the desire but lack the vigor, for those who wish to relive their glory days and need to prove their virility remains. This applies especially to powerful figures who have few children, or even no suitable heirs."

Count Leman’s eyes grew brighter and brighter as he flipped through the business plan. Every single line struck a chord with him.

"The profits from this business are astounding. You could have clearly done this yourself. Why do you want to partner with the family?"

Velin met his gaze without flinching.

"First, I want to thank you, Uncle, for arranging for that promotion edict when I needed it most. Furthermore, the family has been in the potion business for a hundred years. Most of the aether-rich Magic Potion Gardens around Green Vein City are properties of the Klein Clan. Partnering with the family will be the fastest way to achieve mass production, distribute the product throughout the entire Duchy, and maximize profits."

Leman’s gaze turned sharp. "Aren’t you afraid the family will seize the formula and cast you aside?"

This was the final test.

A confident smile played on Velin’s lips.

"I am the only one who knows how to cultivate the most critical Extraordinary plant in the formula—’Dragon Blood Horny Goat Weed.’"

Count Leman got an ’I-knew-it’ look on his face. He was silent for a moment, then suddenly joked,

"Is there another consideration behind this? To avoid getting too entangled with the Golden Sail Commerce Association, preventing a future where the tail wags the dog and the guest usurps the host’s place?"

Velin smiled but said nothing.

Count Leman chuckled as well, his voice filled with admiration.

He stood up, walked over to Velin, and clapped him firmly on the shoulder.

"Excellent. I agree. We’ll split the profits according to the ratio you proposed."

The two of them continued to talk in the study for a long time.

As Velin departed, Count Leman stared at the young man’s upright back, a potent thought surging through his mind.

’With this boy, the Klein Clan might just advance to the rank of Marquis in this generation.’

Velin had just reached the corridor when one of the First Countess’s confidantes happened to pass by. She "accidentally" dropped a handkerchief at his feet, and as she bent to retrieve it, she whispered rapidly in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz.

"Young Master, the Countess says the starlight last night was exquisite, and she hopes to enjoy it for a few more nights."

He hadn’t even left the garden when the Second Countess’s steward came rushing towards him, nearly running into him.

The man bowed with an apologetic look, and an exquisite gift box slid out from his sleeve.

"Young Master, a small gift from the Countess. She also mentioned that Young Master Leonard has been beaten so badly he can no longer get out of bed."

As he reached the mansion’s entrance and was about to get into the carriage, the Third Countess’s personal attendant hurried over.

Holding a food box, she presented it respectfully. "Young Master Velin, these are some desserts the Countess personally made for your journey. Oh, and the Countess also said that if you run out of the Golden Suns in the purse, you are welcome to come back for more at any time."

Velin considered the three waves of servants—all with different approaches but with the exact same goal—and chuckled to himself.

He had no intention of offending these predatory aunts, so he had given each of them five more pills.

And he included a special instruction.

"The pills may be good, but don’t overdo it."